depraved

adjective

de·​praved di-ˈprāvd How to pronounce depraved (audio)
: marked by corruption or evil
a depraved attack
especially : perverted
the work of depraved minds
depravedly
di-ˈprā-vəd-lē How to pronounce depraved (audio)
-ˈprāvd-lē
adverb
depravedness
di-ˈprā-vəd-nəs How to pronounce depraved (audio)
-ˈprāvd-nəs
noun

Examples of depraved in a Sentence

the work of depraved minds He acted with depraved indifference to human suffering.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
They’re brought back to life by their child, a genderqueer doll called Glen/Glenda, and immediately launch into more depraved violence, kidnapping Jennifer Tilly and Redman (themselves) to transfer their consciousness into their bodies. Rory Doherty, Vulture, 28 June 2024 Horror films still offer a path to profitability on low budgets that no other genre can claim, which is why even the most squeamish filmmakers should celebrate the remarkable box-office success demonstrated by Damien Leone’s gory saga of the depraved Art the Clown. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 25 Oct. 2024 Where to watch Killing Eve: Netflix 13 of 21 Luther (2010–2019) Idris Elba stars as the titular detective investigating brutal murder cases in this increasingly depraved psychological thriller, which is a spiritual cross between Dexter and The Wire. Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 29 Sep. 2024 These are two of the mildest things to happen in this incredibly depraved book. Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for depraved 

Word History

Etymology

see deprave

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of depraved was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near depraved

Cite this Entry

“Depraved.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depraved. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Legal Definition

depraved

adjective
de·​praved di-ˈprāvd How to pronounce depraved (audio)
: marked by moral corruption or perversion as shown by a capacity for extreme and wanton physical cruelty
the depraved state of mind of the murderer
the depraved nature of the crime

More from Merriam-Webster on depraved

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